Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee
The future of Gaelic Broadcasting
Status: Open
Opened: 22 Jun 2026
Inquiry scope
Gaelic remains an important part of Scotland’s cultural identity and, despite a long-term decline in its use, the latest census indicates an increase in the number of people with Gaelic language skills. However, MG Alba, the Gaelic Media Service that delivers BBC ALBA, has warned that Gaelic broadcasting “faces a time of great jeopardy” due to underfunding of the service and has called for a stronger statutory footing and greater funding stability to secure its future. This inquiry will explore the value of Gaelic broadcasting for the revival of the Gaelic language and culture. The Committee will examine the statutory and funding issues faced by the industry and will look at how the BBC can better support minority language broadcasting, like Scottish Gaelic. Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 31 July 2026. Craoladh Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd Rannsachadh Tha Gàidhlig fhathast na pàirt chudromach de dhearbh-aithne chultarail na h-Alba agus, a dh’aindeoin crìonadh ann an cleachdadh a’ chànain fad ùine mhòr, tha an cunntas-sluaigh as ùire a’ sealltainn àrdachadh ann an àireamh nan daoine aig a bheil sgilean sa Ghàidhlig. Ach tha MG Alba, Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig a tha a’ lìbhrigeadh BBC ALBA, air rabhadh a thoirt seachad gu bheil craoladh “ann an cunnart mòr aig an àm seo” mar thoradh air dìth maoineachaidh dhan t-seirbheis agus tha iad air iarraidh gum bi bunait reachdail nas treasa ann agus barrachd seasmhachd a thaobh maoineachaidh gus am bi e seasmhach san àm ri teachd. Coimheadaidh an rannsachadh air an luach aig craoladh na Gàidhlig airson ath-bheothachadh na Gàidhlig agus a cultair. Nì a’ Chomataidh rannsachadh air na cùisean reachdail is maoineachaidh a tha mu choinneamh a’ ghnìomhachais agus coimheadaidh iad air mar as urrainn dhan BhBC taic nas fheàrr a thoirt do chraoladh ann am mion-chànanan, leithid Gàidhlig na h-Alba. Leugh an gairm fianais airson barrachd fiosrachaidh mun rannsachadh. Is e 5f air Dihaoine 31 Iuchar 2026 an latha mu dheireadh airson tagraidheanOral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sep 2026 |
Gaelic Broadcasting – Session 2
Deirdre Ní Choistín · TG4,
Delyth Evans · S4C,
Donald Campbell · MG Alba,
Geraint Evans · S4C,
John Morrison · MG Alba,
Luke McCullogh · BBC Scotland,
Luke McCullough · Nations, BBC,
Margaret Mary Murray · BBC Scotland,
Trevor Ó Clochartaigh · TG4
|
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| 1 Jul 2026 |
The future of Gaelic broadcasting - Session 1
Conchúr Ó Giollagáin · University of the Highlands and Islands,
Dr Ingeborg Birnie · University of Strathclyde,
Ealasaid MacDonald · Bòrd na Gàidhlig,
Robert Dunbar · Bòrd na Gàidhlig
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Written evidence
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| Reference | Date | Submitter |
|---|---|---|
| FOGB0009 | 9 Sep 2026 | Dr Enrique Uribe-Jongbloed, Centre for the Creative Economy, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff Uiversity |
| FOGB0010 | 9 Sep 2026 | Dr Craig Willis, European Centre for Minority Issues |
| FOGB0011 | 9 Sep 2026 | MacTV |
| FOGB0012 | 9 Sep 2026 | BBC |
| FOGB0013 | 9 Sep 2026 | MR ISHTIAQ HUSSAIN, IAAPA — Independent Analysis and Policy Architecture |
| FOGB0014 | 9 Sep 2026 | Astar Media Ltd |
| FOGB0015 | 9 Sep 2026 | Screen Scotland (on behalf of Creative Scotland, inclusive of Screen Scotland) |
| FOGB0016 | 9 Sep 2026 | Scottish Government |
| FOGB0017 | 9 Sep 2026 | Iain Campbell |
| FOGB0018 | 9 Sep 2026 | Bòrd na Gàidhlig |
| FOGB0019 | 9 Sep 2026 | MG Alba |
| FOGB0020 | 9 Sep 2026 | Highlands and Islands Enterprise |
| FOGB0001 | 2 Sep 2026 | The Highland Council |
| FOGB0002 | 2 Sep 2026 | Ms Christine Morrison, Corcadal Productions |
| FOGB0003 | 2 Sep 2026 | Arthur Cormack, Macmeanmna Ltd |
| FOGB0004 | 2 Sep 2026 | Christopher Gilmour |
| FOGB0005 | 2 Sep 2026 | Dr Ingeborg Birnie, University of Strathclyde |
| FOGB0007 | 2 Sep 2026 | Mr Ronan Docherty |
| FOGB0008 | 2 Sep 2026 | Patricia Fort, n/a |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Conchúr Ó Giollagáin · Gaelic Research Professor | University of the Highlands and Islands | 1 |
| Deirdre Ní Choistín · Director General | TG4 | 1 |
| Delyth Evans · Chair | S4C | 1 |
| Donald Campbell · Chief Executive | MG Alba | 1 |
| Dr Ingeborg Birnie · Senior Lecturer | University of Strathclyde | 1 |
| Ealasaid MacDonald · Chief Executive Officer | Bòrd na Gàidhlig | 1 |
| Geraint Evans · Chief Executive | S4C | 1 |
| John Morrison · Chair | MG Alba | 1 |
| Luke McCullogh · Corporate Affairs Director | BBC Scotland | 1 |
| Luke McCullough · Corporate Affairs Director | Nations, BBC | 1 |
| Margaret Mary Murray · Head of Gaelic Services and Inclusion | BBC Scotland | 1 |
| Robert Dunbar · Chair | Bòrd na Gàidhlig | 1 |
| Trevor Ó Clochartaigh · Director of Innovation, Sustainability and Sectoral Capacity | TG4 | 1 |